Three women found drowned in Brighton 'had been partying at David Attenborough-themed student night'

Three women found drowned off Brighton seafront are thought to have been partying at a David Attenborough-themed student night before being swept to their deaths. The unnamed trio, believed to be aged in their late teens or early 20s, were discovered after the police and coastguard were called to reports of concerns for a person seen in the water at around 5.45am on Wednesday morning. Police are understood to be investigating claims the women may have been partying at the popular bar Quarters . A spokesperson for Quarters said: “We are aware of an incident that took place on Brighton Beach on Tuesday night. Alongside all other local businesses and venues, we are supporting the police in their enquiries.” A worker at a nearby shop said: “Police were down earlier speaking to people from the club. "Apparently their handbags were found on the beach along with a coat. I saw coastguard officers searching for more of their personal belongings like phones. “It’s absolutely dreadful. The student night is always packed out. I was told students were spilling out onto the beach, smoking and drinking.” The venue, on the beach esplanade, ran a student event on Tuesday night called CU Next Tuesday, which was due to finish at 4am and was billed as David Attenborough’s 100th birthday bash. Two of the women were reportedly found on the beach at nearby Black Rock Beach, while the body of the third was found near Brighton Pier. All three are understood to have been found fully clothed. The leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, Bella Sankey said: "I am shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the deaths of three women off the Brighton coast. My heart goes out to the friends and family of these women and on behalf of Brighton & Hove, I send sincere condolences. "I would also like to thank the emergency services for their quick response and combined efforts. It is heartbreaking that their recovery efforts have ended in such tragic circumstances." A coastguard helicopter and rescue teams from Shoreham, Newhaven, Littlehampton and Birling Gap joined three RNLI lifeboats from Brighton and Shoreham in a desperate bid to rescue the women. Sussex Police today said they are now working to formally identify the women and were seen collecting CCTV in the area for clues. Divisional Commander for Brighton and Hove Chief Superintendent Adam Hays said: "Emergency services were called to Brighton beach to concerns for a person in the water. "Very sadly, a short while after the bodies of three young women were recovered from the sea. This is a tragic incident and we are in the very early stages of our inquiries. "Our priority right now is to identify all three women, contact their next to kin. I know this incident will be highly distressing for the community and we're working hard with our partners to understand exactly what has happened. "This includes gathering, viewing CCTV, the surrounding area, including the properties and the local businesses nearby. Our partners of the Coast Guard have completed an extensive search of the water, and at this stage, we are not searching for anyone else." South East Ambulance crews and critical care paramedics helped recover three women from the water, but a spokesperson said "despite the best efforts of all those involved, they were declared deceased at the scene."